ASEAN core of Asia Pacific integration processes - Shoigu
MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Russia sees ASEAN countries as key partners in the provision of security in the Asia Pacific region, Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu has said.
"The Association is one of the most successful regional organizations, it is a core of integration processes in the Asia Pacific region," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Russian and ASEAN defense ministers on Tuesday.
Such mechanisms as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Regional Security Forum and ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) have been created under the ASEAN aegis and are successfully functioning, he said.
"Cooperation with ASEAN countries in various formats is one of our priorities. The Ten is listed amongst Russia's key partners in the formation of equal and indivisible security and sustainable growth architectures in the Asia Pacific region," the minister said.
The defense ministers of Russia and ASEAN countries are meeting ahead of the Russia-ASEAN summit due to take place in Sochi on May 19-20.